Rishi Sunak warns Putin desires to see the Conservatives lose election
Rishi Sunak has warned that Vladimir Putin wants the Tories to lose the General Election because Labour will weaken the UK’s defences.
The Prime Minister accused Sir Keir Starmer of planning to cut UK defence spending ‘on day one’ which he said would ’embolden our enemies’.
In a stark warning, he suggested electing any other party than the Tories would amount to appeasing the aggression of the Russian leader.
There are claims that Russian-inspired bots might be posting on social media to interfere with the election and boost support for Nigel Farage‘s Reform party.
‘Russia does not want us to be re‑elected,’ Mr Sunak said as he pointed to the Tories’ record on standing up for Ukraine.
Rishi Sunak (pictured) issued a stark warning suggesting electing any other party than the Tories would appease the aggression of Russia
Russian leader Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony in Moscow on June 22
‘Putin would like nothing more than for Britain to step back, to appease his aggression rather than face it down, and that is what will happen with another party in power.
‘Nigel Farage has talked of appeasing Russia, which will only play into Putin’s hands, and Labour will cut UK defence spending on day one.
‘This will embolden our enemies and send a signal to our allies that Britain is not with them any more.’
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned in the Sun on Sunday yesterday that Labour cannot be trusted with the UK’s nuclear button and would ‘shred’ Britain’s military capability. He highlighted the fact that frontbenchers including deputy leader Angela Rayner and shadow foreign secretary David Lammy had voted against renewing Trident.
He also highlighted the fact that Sir Keir Starmer has not matched Mr Sunak’s pledge to increase defence funding to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 and claimed he would cut it. Sir Keir said that the party had brought in a nuclear triple lock and denied that Labour was weak on defence.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said that Sir Keir was ‘hopelessly naive’ about dangers around the world and would undermine Britain’s security if he does not increase defence spending.
Mr Sunak’s intervention came after his deputy, Oliver Dowden, said he had ‘grave concerns’ about reports that the Russians are trying to boost support for Reform.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that it had uncovered a suspected pro-Nigel Farage Russian influence operation, the Sunday Times revealed.
The channel linked five Facebook pages describing Mr Farage as the ‘people’s champion’ and referencing white supremacist conspiracy theories. There is no suggestion that Reform was aware of this. Mr Farage called the claims ‘cobblers’.
Mr Dowden told the newspaper: ‘Theses revelations reveal the real risk our democracy faces in this uncertain world. Malign foreign actors promoting British political parties, policies and views that fit their agenda is just another example of the challenges in the increasingly volatile cyberspace of the 21st century – and is gravely concerning to see during an election campaign.’
The Prime Minister accused Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) of planning to cut UK defence spending ‘on day one’
Tory Party chairman Richard Holden has written to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case and the national security adviser Tim Barrow calling for an investigation.
A Labour spokesman said: ‘Labour has stood with Kyiv since day one – backing every single UK military aid package. If we form the next government the UK’s military, financial, political and diplomatic support for Ukraine will remain steadfast.
‘The PM should consider what signal the Conservatives’ shameful record on defence has sent our adversaries . . . Labour will make Britain better defended. We will set out a clear path to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.’
